Tranwell

Is in the heart of the Northumbrian countryside, just 3 miles or a 30 to 40 minute walk from the historic Market town of Morpeth. It is a really peaceful setting for both Ireby and our campsite.  Morpeth is a bustling market town, the town centre has a modern walk through arcade shopping centre and lots of craft and artisan shops and a fabulous selection of restaurants and tea rooms. We recommend a walk along the river and around Carlisle park to visit the gardens and have tea at the pavilion.  Climb the steps to the top of Haa Hill then walk on up through the trees to Morpeth Castle.  In the summer you can hire a little rowing boat down by the river and the children can play in the park or paddle in the pool.

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Why not leave your car and walk into Morpeth then you can pop on a bus to most of the places listed below.

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Pop along the road to the Whitehouse farm and help bottle feed the lambs then have lunch at the St Mary's Inn, head half a mile west and have a game of crazy golf at the N1 golf centre or continue along a few miles towards Ponteland to visit Kirkley hall zoo and feed the Lorikeets.

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7 miles to the east you step back in time and become a miner at the Woodhorn Museum.

 

Just 12 miles to the south are the arts and culture of Newcastle and Gateshead.  Do a spot of shopping at Eldon square shopping centre, become a scientist at the centre for life or immerse yourself in history at the many museums.  There are really good bus and train connections between Morpeth and Newcastle or you can try the park and ride and go in on the Metro from Kingston park.

 

The fantastic white sandy beaches of the Northumbrian coast are just 8 miles to the East Starting with Blyth beach which has the best fish and chips and ice creams, from there you can follow the northumberland coastal route past drudge bay, on through Amble and spend a few hours at the pop up craft shops on the pier, call by Walkworth and listen to medieval stories at Walkworth Caslte visit Morrick dairy for artisan ice creams, take a brisk walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh castle and have crab sandwiches at the Jolly fisherman, visit the lime kilns at Beadnell bay, stop off in Seahouses to visit the puffins and grey seals on a boat ride to the farne islands and break your journey with a tour around the famous Bamburgh Castle and try not to get stranded on Holy Island which is cut off by the tide so do check the tide times before you set off!  

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To the west you can become a roman soldier for the day on Hadrian's wall, visit a real excavation at Vindolanda, Walk to sycamore gap and pretend you are Robin Hood.  Take a scenic hike to see the waterfalls at Hareshaw Linn.  While you are over in that direction enjoy strawberry picking at Brockbushes farm shop.

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Around 19 miles to the North you can visit the worlds biggest treehouse at the Alnwick gardens and get wet in the fountains (so take a spare change of clothes).  Barter for books in Barter books reputably the uk's largest second hand book store where you can sit and sip hot chocolate by their log burning fires.  Become a wizard and try broomstick flying at Alnwick Castle and indulge in handmade chocolates at the Chocolate spa.  On the way home stop off Felton to visit the running fox cafe or call in and see our good friend Trevor at the Northumberland Arms.  If you have time go for a walk with the wallabies at Northumberland Zoo.

 

Visit the many national trust properties nearby to get lost in the labyrinth at Cragside the first house to be lit by hydroelectric power, enjoy a days den building at Wallington Hall and gardens, wonder at the grandior of Seaton Deleval Hall.

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Watch a real knights tournament at English Heritage's Belsay Castle, spend a day by the coast at Tynemouth and visit the Priory or head up into the hills of Rothbury to see Brinkburn Priory.